Brendan Rodgers says Celtic are always looking at how they can improve on the field

Rodgers says closing the gap with the elite is a huge ask but insists the Premiership leaders are always looking at how they can better things on the field.

And the Northern Irishman would ideally like to do some business in the winter window, to let the new faces adapt in time for the early summer qualifiers, should Celts retain the title.

He said: "There are areas of the team that need strengthened and you have to continually evolve.

“We’re constantly looking at how we can be better on and off the field, and that’s important because in the modern game you can never stand still.

“You keep developing but we also have to be realistic as well.

“It’s always going to be a real challenge for us because we don’t have the resources of all the other teams.

“So we have to find a way to be different and for us that’s our game model, our systematic approach in terms of young players coming through and getting in the right, quality players when they become available, and looking to develop and grow the club and the team.

“We’re always having to plan forward and that’s something that the board, Peter Lawwell and my staff are very conscious of. You always have to keep an eye on what we’re doing today and what we’re doing tomorrow.”

The Hoops picked up three draws in their Group C campaign. Two against Manchester City and one in Germany with Borussia Monchengladbach.

And Rodgers acknowledges the progress his side have made since losing 1-0 in Gibraltar to Lincoln Red Imps in their opening qualifying match.

He said: “There’s a lot more to come from this squad but they need help as well.

“They need a few players in who can help them, but I look at a lot of the players and it’s credit to them, because you have to want to improve, you have to want to learn, you have to want to commit to leading your life right every single day.

“You’ve got to be fit to play to that intensity, and that means you have to train, you have to be looking at your diet, every aspect of your life. More time will allow us to improve, and adding quality to the squad.

Celtic's Champions League campaign started with a humiliating 1-0 defeat to minnows Lincoln Red Imps

“If you’re working in any of the European leagues you will have few opportunities to play Champions League football.

“But there are different things that make up a player coming to Celtic.

“If it’s purely about finance then they may not come. But if it’s about the experience of a huge club, the development of the player and getting the opportunity to play in front of 60-odd thousand every other week then I’m sure that’s something they would consider.

“But you have to get there. It’s been a great campaign for us but now we have to focus on winning the league. If we get in there next season, we’ll be better for it.”

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